The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-09-16


PnI1ApEIPH1A Sept. is The
f1ast centennial Of the events of the
revolutionary times began this
morning. If there is one thing more
than another for which million
and half of people who are the
temporary residents of this city, OF
the centennial are thankful, it is the
weather. EYen up to yesterday
morning prospect for to-days par
ade was gloomy; and it was ques-
ton whether or not it should have
to be postponed as for the past week
rain, log, and threatening weather
have held the day. When the spec
ial bulletin of the signal service ap-
peared Yesterday morning, stating
that special observations Indicated
cool and fair weather for this yicin-
ity it was diplayed at every con-
ceivable point and buoyed up the
falling hope of countless thousands.
This morning the prediction was
fulfilled and all fears of bad wealth
er disappeared with clear sky, obs
scured here and there only by stra-
tus clouds. The day so far gives
promise of being everything that
could be wished, and a heavy load
has been lifted from hearts of many
who have been for months looking
forward to the day when the great
est epoch in the history Of last cen
tury should be celebrated. Phila-
delphia and her hundreds of thous~
ands ofguests appeared on the street
early this morning in their holiday
garb, light hearted, and all bent to-
ward the signal object of making
the celebration ai6tting one. Alliday
yesterday and last night, visitors,
including distinguished guests,
military and fremen, arrived by
every possible conveyance; and the
dozen railroad depots were taxed to
thnir 1IIIGnask In acconno2atiEss EssS&ss
throng which the
.cradle of liberty" to bear witness
by their presence of their love and
veneration for the historic document
which gives them liberty and free-
dom, and made this government of
the people, by the people and for
the people. All hotels were filed
to overhowing by yesterday morn
ing, and every inch of space had
been filled with cots and other
means of temporary rest, so that
many strangers had to resort to tho
bureau of information which was
( established during the early
days OF the constitutional CEN
tennial BOOM" and which has
performed an important mission
since its inception. 1t is safe
to say there are at least two
hundred thousand visitors from a
distance in addition to thousands
from adjacent counties of Pennsyl4
vania, New York, Delaware and
Maryland; and hardly State or
Territory remains unrepresented in
the three days festival. The streets
to-day presented a beautiful ap-
pearance. In all directions as far
as the eye can reach, it was mass Of
bunting and decorations.
Many of the newspaper Offices
and public buildings made lavish
display of decorations, having
worked early and late to complete
their work in time. At day break
they were at work putting on the
finishing touches, which had been
delayed more or less by the inclem-
ent weather. Every arrangement
has been made by these in charge,
and the day is one of the most
eventful ones In the history of the
civilized world.
A monster civil and ndustrial pa
geant started from Broad and Dau-..
phin streets shortly after 10 o'clock
and marched to Broad and Moore
streets, distance of nearly, five
miles, and! then countermarched
to the starting point, passing through
one continuous line of observation.
North Broad street was so crowded
as to be almost impossible as early
as Z o'clock, and great crowds be-
took themselves to the streets, not
withstanding the efforts of the po-
lice to keep the latter clear.
Hundreds of carpenters anddecor-
ators who had been at work all
night had transformed the magnifi>
cent. thoroughfare into a vast am
phitheatre with seats raised high
on either side; and they were crowd
ed TO repletion at an early hour.
The overflow crowded on the side
walks and il the streets, and many
OF them were able to catch only an
occasional glimpse of the pageant
as it passed.
On North Broad street there was
scarcely g house, public or private,
that was not covered with bunting
or in other ways suitably decor>
ated. -
The decorators strived for novel
effects, and in this they were highly
successful. Some houses were al
most covered with heroic statues
Of Columbia surrounded by the Aags
Eof all nations, while other fronts
were completely concealed with